7. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
8. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
9. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
10. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
11. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
13. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
14. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
15. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
17. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
18. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
19. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
20. Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.
21. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
22. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.
23. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.